NetApp and Google Cloud Enhance Partnership to Fuel Generative AI and Hybrid Cloud Workloads

NetApp, a leader in intelligent data infrastructure, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Google Cloud, marking a significant leap forward in making data more accessible for generative AI (GenAI) and hybrid cloud workloads. This collaboration introduces the Flex service level for Google Cloud NetApp Volumes, accommodating storage volumes of nearly any size, and unveils a preview of NetApp's GenAI toolkit reference architecture. This architecture is designed for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) operations utilizing the Google Cloud Vertex AI platform, aiming to streamline and secure AI data pipelines.

More Flexible Data Storage Options for Google Cloud NetApp Volumes

NetApp and Google Cloud have unveiled the Flex service level for NetApp Volumes, providing customers with unparalleled control to fine-tune their storage to meet the specific demands of their cloud workloads. Pravjit Tiwana, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cloud Storage at NetApp, emphasized the importance of this new offering in delivering a unified data storage solution that enhances organizational agility in data management across cloud environments.

The Flex service level complements existing service levels—Standard, Premium, and Extreme—by offering highly scalable storage volumes that support a broad spectrum of use cases, including AI applications. This service is set to become generally available in 15 Google Cloud regions by Q2 2024, with plans to expand further by the end of the year.

Unlocking Enterprise Data for Generative AI in Google Cloud

NetApp's introduction of its GenAI toolkit, supporting NetApp Volumes, represents a strategic advancement in deploying RAG operations. This toolkit, coupled with its reference architecture, is designed to facilitate secure, consistent, and automated workflows. These workflows connect data stored in NetApp Volumes with the Google Cloud Vertex AI platform, thereby enhancing the generation of high-quality insights and automations.